What items have to be tested for phthalates?
CPSIA requires the following items to contain no DINP, DIDP and DnOP (the 3 prohibited phthalates) and less than 0.1% of phthalates DEHP, DBP or BBP (the 3 restricted phthalates):
- toys for children of any age must not have any of the 3 prohibited phthalates
- toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth must not have any of the 3 prohibited phthalates or violative concentrations of the 3 restricted phthalates
- feeding and child care items for children under 3 (we await a formal definition of which items fall in this category)
The following materials are exempt from third party testing for phthalates, as per CPSC’s policy statement:
- unfinished metal
- ordinary fabrics and yarns made from natural and synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, acrylic, cotton, wool, etc.
- polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyolefin
- silicone rubber
- natural latex
- mineral products such as play sand, glass, and crystal
However, if any of these items have on them a coating that might contain phthalates, such as a screen print on a cotton tee or a waterproof coating on fabric, the coating is not exempt from phthalates testing.
Here is a partial list of items that MAY NEED phthalate testing:
- Elastic
- PUL (polyurethane laminate fabric, used in cloth diapers)
- Fabric finishes
- PVC and vinyl
- Adhesives
- Electrical insulation
- Foam rubber
- Surface coatings and decals
Source your materials with care if you use any of these.
Some important things to note about this policy:
- These exemptions are for phthalate testing ONLY. A material may be exempt from phthalate testing but still need to be tested for lead for CPSIA compliance.
- Phthalate testing is on a component basis. So if you use cotton flannel and PUL to make a diaper, only the PUL needs to be tested for phthalates, NOT a finished diaper. An “I Spy” bag with a vinyl window would need the vinyl tested but not the thread, fabric, etc.
- The policy statement linked above does not specify whether inaccessible component parts will need to be tested for phthalates.
Hi! You say above that synthetic fibers are exempt from phthalate testing & list cotton under that grouping. Is that an error or is it synthetics and cotton?
I am asking specifically about plush toys. We are an apparel mfg, so we don’t normally deal with toys but are now!
Thanks very much,
Debbie
In the list above it says “natural and synthetic fibers,” of which cotton is one. This is not an error; the category “natural and synthetic fibers” includes both natural fibers like cotton and synthetic fibers like polyester. The CPSC document references both as being exempt from phthalate testing, so long as they don’t have a finish on them that might contain phthalates (e.g. PUL fabric).